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Description

Perfect for first-time growers. We never use the term “delicious” lightly, and this variety is no exception. Consistently bears heavy crops of round, sweet dessert plums with red skin and red flesh. Disease-resistant to bacterial leaf spot and canker. Heat-tolerant. Clingstone. Discovered in 1931 and introduced by Stark Bro’s in 1951. Ripens in early August. Best pollinators: Redheart, Shiro, Ozark Premier or Methley. Johnson cultivar

Characteristics

Bloom Color

White

Fruit Color

Red

Fruit Size

Large

Pollination

Pollinator Needed

Ripens/Harvest

Early August

Shade/Sun

Full Sun

Soil Composition

Loamy

Soil Moisture

Well Drained

Soil pH Level

6.0 - 7.0

Taste

Juicy, Sweet

Texture

Firm

Years to Bear

3 - 6

Zone Range

5 - 9

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range
5 - 9

My Hardiness Zone
?

The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

The mature size of this variety depends on the version you choose to plant:

Standard

18 - 20' Tall X 18 - 20' Wide

Dwarf

8 - 10' Tall X 8 - 10' Wide

Recommended Spacing

The space needed for this variety to grow depends on the size you plant:

Standard

18 - 20'

Dwarf

8 - 10'

Recommended Pollinators

This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.

Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Our experts recommend planting one of the following within 50' for optimum pollination.

Shipping Information

Estimated Delivery Date

You don't pay until it ships.

We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location. That's why we only ship living products during certain times of the year. Order now and your credit card won't be charged until your climate is suitable for planting success and your order is shipped.

Our Promise of Satisfaction

1 Year Warranty

Every order comes with our promise of satisfaction. If you aren't completely satisfied with your order, let us know within one year for a free one-time replacement or refund.

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I already have Big Blue and Santa Rosa varieties. I know they are not on your list of preferred pollinators for Starking Delicious or Elephant Heart, but will they serve as adequate pollinators for either Starking Delicious or Elephant Heart plums?

BEST ANSWER:Starking Delicious and Elephant Heart are Asian/Japanese type plums, so Santa Rosa (another Asian/Japanese type plum) should work just fine as a pollinator for those varieties. 'Big Blue' is a European type plum, so it is not recommended.

BEST ANSWER:Starking Delicious and Elephant Heart are Asian/Japanese type plums, so Santa Rosa (another Asian/Japanese type plum) should work just fine as a pollinator for those varieties. 'Big Blue' is a European type plum, so it is not recommended.

BEST ANSWER:We're not familiar with a "Candy Plum." Could you mean "Bubblegum"? That is also known as "Toka," which is a Japanese-American hybrid. Pollination might be iffy. Ozark Premier is a Japanese plum that needs pollination by another Japanese, like Shiro or Starking?? Delicious??? Plum.

BEST ANSWER:We're not familiar with a "Candy Plum." Could you mean "Bubblegum"? That is also known as "Toka," which is a Japanese-American hybrid. Pollination might be iffy. Ozark Premier is a Japanese plum that needs pollination by another Japanese, like Shiro or Starking?? Delicious??? Plum.

Customer Reviews

Very pleased with all trees. They are growing nicely in second and branching for upcoming fruit bearing. Expect a small third year crop. Will thin heavily to avoid hampering vigor and growth. Prune in fall and use a regular fertilization and pest control. Have 26 Stark fruit trees in my backyard garden

I live in central illinois my tree is just about to finish its first full year in the ground no fruit yet. But that's normal , the tree has I would say easily grown 4 times it's original size I'm looking forward to seeing what it does next year.

This is my second time purchasing this tree due to change of residence. The plum is extremely high quality and similar to the plums offered in grocery stores. I have customers asking when these plums will be ready for sale because they are liked by so many people.

The tree is quite hardy, bears heavily in Utah, and is a sweet, versatile plum. Caution: My 25 year old tree was killed by borers. Though it seemed to be resistant, the borers finally killed it--I should have given that problem more attention early on. I am now growing a replacement--same tree.

StarkBro"s is a great company to do business with. I rate them as a top notice company in customer service. As for the Startking Delicious Plum trees that I received they came fast and in great condition. If one has any questions or problems with any of the products from StarkBro's just call them. They have always be very helpful to me. I will do business with them again.

I purchased the Starking Delicious Plum as well as another variety late last spring. They were both the smallest size Stark sells but they leafed out soon after planting last year and have leafed out beautifully again this spring. I'm sure I am still several years from the time the trees will be mature enough to fruit but I am looking forward to that time.

We are now in the second season for this tree. It has flowered beautifully and leafed out fully to the end of the branches. The branching pattern is very even and attractive. Still too young for any crop, although there are about 10 developing fruit on the tree. We were very conscientious about watering last year and will reduce the water somewhat this year. The tree seems to be thriving.

Planted in 2015. Had to cover with a tight-knit cloth to keep out locusts in 2016, and the netting resulted in misshapen limbs. This plum did well with corrective pruning. Handled early frosts last Fall and late frosts this Spring (zip code 26339). Happy with the growth.